🌲 GROUND MANAGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Path to Becoming a Professional Ground Manager in the Tree Industry

THE BASICS OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER

AND WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

• We are a TEAM. Everyone does their part every day. Even though we are separate business entities, we work together to help each other grow and succeed.

• Always show up and be on time.

• Come to work projecting yourself as a professional.

• Wear proper attire: Work boots, company shirt, and safety gear.

• We are looking for fast learners. Each phase has a time frame to learn and perform. Failure to progress may result in your opportunity being given to someone else.
  1 missed day = 1 missed week.

By the end of this program, you will be capable of leading a ground crew, managing job flow, training new team members, and operating as a professional Ground Manager in the tree industry.

💰 PAY STRUCTURE

Level Percentage Earned

Level 1   6%

Level 2   6.5%

Level 3   7%

Level 4   7.5%

Level 5   8%

Level 6   9%

Program Graduate   10%

LEVEL 1 (6%) — GENERAL LABORER (2 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement: None

Duties

• Unload equipment at every job

• Gas and oil all saws

• Drop trailer if needed

• Work safely with urgency (time is money)

• Ensure all equipment is stored properly after each job

Learn

• Proper trailer stacking (hand & skid steer loading)

• Securing trailer with ratchet straps and gate come-along

• Tying rigging line to climbing line

• Tree Knot (Pop Knot)

• Cutting down trailer loads

• Chainsaw safety & basic operation

Pass field test → Promotion

LEVEL 2 (6.5%) — EQUIPMENT MANAGER (2 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement:

• Personal Chainsaw

• Throw Ball
  Affordable saw option: Neo-Tec Chainsaws
  👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=neo-tec+chainsaw

Week 3

• Continue Level 1 duties

• Change bar and chain quickly

• Run saw without dulling chain

• Basic hand roping techniques

• Learn to drive the Bobcat

Week 4

• Learn company come-along technique

• Time management skills

• Use of throw ball

Pass field test → Promotion

LEVEL 3 (7%) — ROOKIE GROUNDSMAN (3 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement:

• Chainsaw files

• Saw wrenches

Weeks 5–6

• Continue Level 1–2 duties

• Master roping techniques

• Learn to sharpen chains

Week 7

• Learn to cut gaps and fell trees

• Ensure all saws are sharpened nightly

Pass field test → Promotion

LEVEL 4 (7.5%) — GENERAL GROUNDSMAN (3 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement:

• Rakes (for clean-up)

Weeks 8–9

• Continue Level 1–3 duties

• Advanced rigging skills

• Set roping lines from ground

• Rope full trees from ground

• Rig trees into other trees

Week 10

Pass field test → Promotion

LEVEL 5 (8%) — PROFESSIONAL GROUNDSMAN (11 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement:

• Backup chainsaw
  Affordable option: Neo-Tec Chainsaws
  👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=neo-tec+chainsaw

Weeks 11–20

• Continue Level 1–4 duties

• Learn tree diseases & identification

• Learn tree species characteristics

• Identify tree-damaging insects

• Conflict resolution

• Advanced time management

Week 21

Pass field test → Promotion

LEVEL 6 (9%) — GROUND MANAGER / TREE PROFESSIONAL (4 WEEKS)

Equipment Requirement: None

Weeks 21–24

• Continue Level 1–5 duties as needed

• Manage trainees

• Ensure crew progress

• Complete all tasks from supervisor

• Lead by example

• Train a trainee to Level 4

Completion of Level 6 → Program Graduate (10%)

🎉 PROGRAM COMPLETED

A Ground Manager is one of the most important roles in the crew. You now have the skills and leadership ability to manage ground operations and develop other crew members.

🌳 NEXT STEP

Begin the training program to become a CLIMBER